as in intruding
to cause a disruption in a conversation or discussion
it's rude to interrupt when someone is making an important point
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Recent Examples of interrupting
The breach created chaos across California university campuses this week, interrupting classes, assignments and finals preparations for hundreds of thousands of students and professors.
—
Kelvin Chan, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026
Elizabeth continues to be an infuriating character, interrupting with rude and unhelpful asides throughout the entire family meeting, casually gnawing on an orange slice as Greg and Katie have a heart-to-heart across the table.
—Erin Qualey, Vulture, 11 May 2026
Preventative measures during this time involve interrupting the reproduction process before populations can become pervasive.
—Kody Boye, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 May 2026
When the quadruped robot was reassigned to patrol operations, the platform automatically deployed another autonomous logistics robot to continue the transport work without interrupting the workflow, according to TKH.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 7 May 2026
The unmistakable delight when an animal treated him not as a presenter, but as part of the environment itself—catching him off guard, interrupting the perfect narration, reminding us that nature cannot be scripted.
—Prince Harry, Time, 7 May 2026
Fritz made this interesting design decision to ensure that there is a sound barrier for privacy without interrupting the visual flow of the ceiling.
—Stefan Ionescu
may 06, New Atlas, 6 May 2026
Some Chicago Flips Red members have been escorted out of City Council chambers and the county boardroom for violating rules of order — including shouting, interrupting or insulting other speakers or aldermen — and led some to consider or pursue orders of protection.
—A.d. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 4 May 2026
Romans sits down to talk politics, but the business of horse racing keeps interrupting.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 2 May 2026
Kelvin Chan, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026
Elizabeth continues to be an infuriating character, interrupting with rude and unhelpful asides throughout the entire family meeting, casually gnawing on an orange slice as Greg and Katie have a heart-to-heart across the table.
—Erin Qualey, Vulture, 11 May 2026
Preventative measures during this time involve interrupting the reproduction process before populations can become pervasive.
—Kody Boye, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 May 2026
When the quadruped robot was reassigned to patrol operations, the platform automatically deployed another autonomous logistics robot to continue the transport work without interrupting the workflow, according to TKH.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 7 May 2026
The unmistakable delight when an animal treated him not as a presenter, but as part of the environment itself—catching him off guard, interrupting the perfect narration, reminding us that nature cannot be scripted.
—Prince Harry, Time, 7 May 2026
Fritz made this interesting design decision to ensure that there is a sound barrier for privacy without interrupting the visual flow of the ceiling.
—Stefan Ionescu
may 06, New Atlas, 6 May 2026
Some Chicago Flips Red members have been escorted out of City Council chambers and the county boardroom for violating rules of order — including shouting, interrupting or insulting other speakers or aldermen — and led some to consider or pursue orders of protection.
—A.d. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 4 May 2026
Romans sits down to talk politics, but the business of horse racing keeps interrupting.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 2 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for interrupting
Verb
-
That’s no different from foreign bots intruding into our elections.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
1 May 2026
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There are worse things that could happen than Jimmy Fallon intruding upon your life in the game and being forced to adapt to that.—
Emily Longeretta,
Variety,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Try taking 10 to 15 minutes each day to write out what's bothering you.—
Pien Huang,
NPR,
2 May 2026
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Yusei Kikuchi said throwing fastballs was bothering him again, so the Los Angeles Angels pitcher left Wednesday's 3-2, 10-inning loss to the Chicago White Sox after two innings with left shoulder tightness.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Since the closure of Connecticut Yankee some 30 years ago, Connecticut has been home to just one nuclear power plant, Millstone in Waterford, and has restricted adding others.—
Krisztian Elcsics,
Hartford Courant,
12 May 2026
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Even so, adding small amounts of diluted milk to the soil may help supplement calcium and provide trace nutrients.—
Jessica Safavimehr,
Southern Living,
11 May 2026
Verb
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Senate President Pro Tem Monique Limón and her budget team released their proposal in April, a plan that would restore billions of dollars for programs that Newsom proposed cutting in his plan, including for K-12 schools, climate programs, childcare slots and homelessness assistance funding.—
Kate Wolffe,
Sacbee.com,
7 May 2026
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Allow chicken to rest for five to 10 minutes before cutting in to give the juices time to redistribute within the meat.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Interrupting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/interrupting. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
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